Detroit City FC to play Club Necaxa in July friendly

Club Nexcaxa, which is based in Aguascalientes, Mexico, sits in sixth place in the Clausura, the Mexican first division Liga MX standings with 12 points (3-3-2, W-D-L). It will play Detroit City FC in an international friendly on July 10 at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck.(Photo: Ulises Ruiz / Getty Images)

Detroit City FC has filled a slot on its international calendar with a marquee opponent.

Liga MX side Club Necaxa will play Le Rouge on Tuesday, July 10, at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, the club announced Thursday. Kick-off is 7:30 p.m.

Club Nexcaxa, which is based in Aguascalientes, Mexico, sits in sixth place in the Clausura, the Mexican first division Liga MX standings with 12 points (3-3-2, W-D-L).

The international friendly will mark the first time DCFC has hosted a Mexican first-division side. Previously, Le Rouge has played English semi-pro FC United of Manchester, Irish League’s Glentoran and Italian Serie B’s Venezia on its home ground.

“We’re really excited about them coming up here and getting the ability to showcase some of the highest-quality soccer in North America,” DCFC co-owner Alex Wright said.

“In our (recreational) league, the DCFL, a lot of the teams that come from southwest Detroit are huge Liga MX fans. Whenever we go out with them after a match to a bar or restaurant, Liga MX is what is on TV.

“There are fans of pretty much every team in the league in southwest Detroit, and pretty much the whole area. We just think the fact we are playing a Liga MX team is a statement that we think the popularity of the sport to the Latino population in our community is important.”

The July 10 friendly will be Le Rouge’s second international match of the season.

Details on DCFC’s first international match of the 2018 campaign, which is set for Saturday, May 19, at 6 p.m., could be released as soon as next week, Wright said.

General admission tickets for the Necaxa friendly will be $15 with Gold admission tickets $25 and VIP section tickets $75. Tickets for the Necaxa friendly will go on sale in conjunction with regular season tickets on March 1.